You, too, may already be a winner

By Debbie Brown

Friday

Nov 30, 2012 at 12:01 AMNov 30, 2012 at 3:38 PM

As I was driving in to work Thursday morning, lamenting the fact that I did not win any portion of the Powerball lottery last night, I started crying and thinking to myself — you have already won the lottery 10 times over. No, I have won no money and am not rich by any means — at least not financially.

I began to ponder my “winnings” and came up with the following jackpot: Although my parents and both in-laws have passed away, I think of the winnings from them — from my mother-in-law I remember that she made the best creamed corn and no one has been able to come up with just the right formula since. From my father-in-law I remember he would ask me if I wanted coffee to drink at breakfast when we would visit. It became a running joke as I don’t drink coffee, never have. But he always asked and in smelling my husband’s coffee brewing Thursday morning I thought of my father-in-law and I smiled to myself. My grandmother made the best meatloaf (I can come close but not quite) and her chicken and dumplings were beyond compare — hand-rolled dumplings, flour all over the kitchen but what a look on her face when we all sat down to eat. My dad with his teachings of how to ride the waves at the beach, how to change a tire and constant worry and unconditional love for his family and grandchildren — good memories. He never won the lottery either and played every week, driving to Danville, Va. to get his secret tickets. And my mother, the Martha Stewart of Haw River — whose coconut cake and German chocolate cake were hard to beat, as well as her knack for bow-making, decorating and her love of Christmas and all things holiday.

These memories are a lottery in and of themselves.

My best friend’s mother who recently passed who always called me “D.A.” I am not even sure she knew my real name — and it’s OK. I miss her smile and her gentle ways but the “win” was having her daughter as my best friend for over 46 years.

But there are winnings around me daily. My husband of over 38 years who worked long, hard hours as a restaurant manager for over 39 years and missed many special holidays but always found a way to be there for our children and me; my children and their “children” of three cats and three dogs — and all the memories stored in my lottery ticket with them. My best friend, Judy Hinsdale — we talk almost every day and laugh and cry together and do Lucy and Ethel like no one around. Her husband Ron — my go-to guy for all things electrical and who always puts up our outside sidewalk lights to perfection. Our friends Ralph and Jane Faulkner who have always been at the ready to help and laugh and cry with me. Leslie and Darrell Madden who offer their lake home for a day in the summer (and for our daughter’s wedding). My son-in-law, Josh Schultz, serving in Afghanistan — who I told just this morning by email to keep his head down and not to be a big hero just to come home safe. And the list could go on and on. Lottery winnings abound.

No, I didn’t win the money to buy the beach house I have always wanted or to pay off student loans for my children and nephew or to secretly give away to those in need. That would have been awesome as well. I started winning my lottery many years ago and hopefully will continue to “win” for many more.

Debbie Brown lives in Haw River.

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